This story was excerpted from Jessica Camerato’s Nationals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
WASHINGTON -- The sounds emanating from the bullpen before a Major League game usually are the smacks of warmup pitches fired into the catcher’s mitt.
But when southpaw reliever Jose A. Ferrer is around, there is a musical sound of a saxophone.
Melodic? Well, that’s all part of the learning process.
“I am going to focus,” Ferrer said. “I’m going to take it seriously.”
The light-hearted Ferrer, 25, is turning his love for music into a hobby. Last month, Ferrer bought a saxophone at a music shop in Washington, D.C. He did some research, went to the store with his girlfriend and made the purchase without trying any other types of instruments – he knew he specifically wanted a saxophone.
It is a fundamental sound in many of his favorite songs growing up in the Dominican Republic. He enjoys listening to the bands of Yovanny Polanco, El Prodigio and Tatico Henríquez, to name a few.
“He loves music,” said manager Dave Martinez. “He wants to learn how to play it. So I'm encouraging him to play it – every day, go ahead and practice. I think it takes a lot off of his mind to do something except for thinking about getting guys out. But when the game time comes, that's what his focus is about that.”
Without time during the season for official classes, the back-end reliever has been watching YouTube videos to become self-taught. Last week, he was listening to music by the viral Epic Sax Guy.
“There’s something cool about somebody who has zero history of anything and just picking up a brand new skill and trying to learn it,” said catcher Riley Adams. “I think that’s pretty darn sweet.”
Ferrer practices in the bullpen, at home and on the road. Mariners players stopped by pregame to offer their encouragement in Seattle. Then, Ferrer gave his teammates a special glimpse into his developing talents by playing a few notes in the visitors' clubhouse.
Luis García Jr. and José Tena watched up close and provided their own (candid) commentary, fellow relievers Zach Brzykcy, Cole Henry and Jackson Rutledge cheered from across the clubhouse, and even Martinez stopped to listen.
That’s the goal for Ferrer, who is also learning English: to bring teammates from different backgrounds together, share interests and build chemistry.
“Music doesn’t have a language,” said Adams. “It’s something that everybody can relate to. Then you start thinking of songs that have some saxophone in it, and it’s something you can talk about and bond over.”
Ferrer was surprised by the attention he received when his saxophone playing was reported on and highlighted in broadcasts last week. Fans on social media have since offered their support and suggestions on his musical journey.
“Who knew [Ferrer] had a musical side? Practicing sax in the bullpen, that’s dedication!” read one comment.
“He’s definitely got to work on his embouchure, but I wish him nothing but the best on his journey of learning the greatest instrument in the world,” another wrote.
“It’s positive,” Ferrer said of the feedback. “My girlfriend showed me a video on TikTok and there were a lot of comments about how I can improve.”
Ferrer is determined to turn his hobby into a talent. He already has his sights set on offseason music classes, and he plans to report to Spring Training next February having conquered a few songs.
“Every day he seems to be getting a little better,” said Martinez. “He’s not quite Kenny G yet, but he’ll get there.”